Adonis Stevenson "needs more fights"

Herb Zurkowsky, The Gazette04.21.2012

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson (R) exchanges punches with Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez (L) during the first round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012. Stevenson won the fight in the second round with a technical knockout.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson sits on the corner before the start of the second round against Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson (L) exchanges punches with Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez (R) during the first round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012. Stevenson won the fight in the second round with a technical knockout.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson celebrates his win against Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez after the second round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson celebrates his win against Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez after the second round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson celebrates his win against Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez after the second round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson celebrates his win against Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez after the second round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson celebrates his win against Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez after the second round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson celebrates his win against Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez after the second round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson celebrates his win against Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez after the second round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson (R) exchanges punches with Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez (L) during the first round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012. Stevenson won the fight in the second round with a technical knockout.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson (L) exchanges punches with Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez (R) during the first round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012. Stevenson won the fight in the second round with a technical knockout.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson (L) exchanges punches with Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez (R) during the first round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012. Stevenson won the fight in the second round with a technical knockout.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson (L) exchanges punches with Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez (R) during the first round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012. Stevenson won the fight in the second round with a technical knockout.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson (L) exchanges punches with Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez (R) during the first round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012. Stevenson won the fight in the second round with a technical knockout.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Montreal's Adonis Stevenson (R) exchanges punches with Uruguayís Noe Gonzalez (L) during the first round of their super middleweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012. Stevenson won the fight in the second round with a technical knockout.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Schiller Hyppolite (L) exchanges punches with Martin Desjardins (R) during their light heavy boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012. Hyppolite won the fight in the fourth round.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Schiller Hyppolite (L) exchanges punches with Martin Desjardins (R) during their light heavy boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012. Hyppolite won the fight in the fourth round.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Schiller Hyppolite (R) exchanges punches with Martin Desjardins (L) during their light heavy boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012. Hyppolite won the fight in the fourth round.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Oscar Rivas (R) exchanges punches with Stephane Tessier (L)during the second round of their heavyweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012. Rivas won the fight.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

Oscar Rivas (R) stands over Stephane Tessier (L) after being knocked down during their heavyweight boxing match at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Friday, April 20, 2012.Dario Ayala/THE GAZETTE

MONTREAL - With five fights, all victories, in the span of 12 months - including two electrifying and quick knockouts since teaming up with famed American trainer Emanuel Steward - Longueuil super-middleweight Adonis Stevenson must now attempt to play the waiting game, watching to see what develops in the 168-pound division.

Stevenson retained his three minor titles while capturing the World Boxing Council Silver belt Gonzalez held. Already ranked second by the International Boxing Federation, seventh by both the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization, and ninth by the WBC, Stevenson can expect to move up - likely replacing Gonzalez, who had been rated second by the WBC.

As Stevenson continues winning, his reputation and notoriety grows. U.S. boxing fans should be more familiar with him now, following his first exposure on American television. His victory over Gonzalez was broadcast by ESPN2, and it won’t hurt Stevenson that Steward works with HBO as an analyst.

“He’s in position (for a world-title fight) everywhere now,” said Yvon Michel, Stevenson’s promoter. “Emanuel will be in conversations with HBO. I know, from his last two performances, Adrian’s name would be on any of the networks’ lists to fight any champions.”

Montreal’s Lucian Bute defends his IBF super-middleweight title on May 26 against Carl Froch in Nottingham, England. Steward stated on Friday he has no doubt Stevenson would defeat Bute, who has yet to lose as a pro. And Stevenson didn’t hide his desire for a showdown against Bute.

“I want to fight Bute in Montreal,” he said, almost salivating at the prospect. “In Montreal, you need that big fight ... me and Bute.”

But Stevenson seems certain to have other options as well.

Andre Ward is the WBA and WBC super-middleweight champ, having defeated Froch in the final of Showtime’s recent Super Six tournament. Anthony Dirrell is the mandatory challenger in the WBC, but Ward has no desire to meet his friend.

In late May, after Bute defends against Froch, Michel expects to receive a letter from the IBF, requesting that Stevenson make himself available for an elimination bout to become the top-rated, mandatory challenger. But if Ward vacates the title, moving up to light-heavyweight, the WBC title would be declared vacant. Stevenson, as the holder of the Silver belt, would meet Dirrell for the vacant title.

“I’m very satisfied with him, and I rarely say that about a fighter,” Steward said. “He’s just about complete. He’s the type that could fight any of the top fighters. What you see from him he could do to any of the champs - and I’m not just talking. He’s a good puncher who has natural instincts that you can’t teach. If I was a champ, he’d be the one I would avoid.

“He’s one of those rare fighters that comes along once in a lifetime.”

In December 2011, his last fight with trainer Howard Grant, Stevenson stopped Aaron Pryor Jr. in the ninth round. Stevenson went to Steward’s Kronk Gym in Detroit in January, pleading with the Hall of Fame member to begin tutoring him.

The results were immediate. Last February, Stevenson required only 99 seconds before knocking out American Jesus Gonzales, who had one loss in 28 bouts. Gonzalez, meanwhile, had tasted defeat only once in 29 bouts and had won his previous 14 fights, all but one by knockout.

“In two fights,” Steward said, “he has yet to have a drop of water on his trunks.”

Stevenson didn’t drop Gonzalez, but had the Uruguay native in serious jeopardy before referee Michael Griffin intervened. Stevenson connected with a left hook against the ropes in the second round, then continued his assault in a corner. Gonzalez didn’t punch back and made no attempt to remove himself from the corner, leading Griffin to jump in.

“He finished him off with short, accurate punches,” Steward said. “That was a great fight, a masterpiece. Gonzalez had his muscles greased to look impressive, but he could only fight moving forward. I told Adonis to back him up. He was confident and systematically broke him down.

“I would have liked an extra 10 seconds,” Steward added. “I would have liked for him to finish him. But the ref did what he had to do.”

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